In an effort to reduce air pollution in New York, the Department of Environmental Conservation is cracking down on idling trucks.

Under the new plan, there will be unannounced enforcement actions in areas where heavy truck traffic enters or exits a neighborhood. The DEC will be pulling over trucks churning out visible exhaust in violation of state air regulations, and the drivers will be fined.

?We have to get these dirty trucks off our streets,? says Rep. Jose Serrano (D-16th District).

Experts determined that idling trucks produce 940 tons of smog-forming nitrogen oxides and emit 24 tons of soot particles, which are associated with a wide variety of respiratory illnesses. In addition, curbside idlers nationwide waste 53 million gallons of gas a year.